Tuesday, Jun 25 2013 3:32PM

Many agencies in Alaska are launching training programs to lower the rural jobless rate.

Nonprofit organization Zender Environmental Health and Research Group will help create jobs and improve Alaska's environment thanks to a $200,000 grant from the Environment Protection Agency, the Alaska Journal of Commerce reports. 

The grant will allow Zender to maintain its environmental technician training program for unemployed rural Alaskans. This program educates individuals on various environmental cleaning tasks, including proper contaminated site cleanup procedures, home and bulk fuel tank inspection, landfill compliance and solid waste disposal. Many of these categories, particularly relating to proper trash disposal, are crucial to rural Alaska, where public services may be scarce. 

Following completion of the training, many graduates obtain jobs through local governments and regional agencies, the Journal reports. 

Rural joblessness is a persistent issue in Alaska, and many agencies are seeking to create jobs that both employ local residents and aid in rural community development. For example, the Bristol Bay River Academy provides free educational and training programs to young adults to help them qualify for jobs in the fishing industry, such as guides or fishing lodge owners, according to Indian Country Today Media Network.

As the fishing industry is central to Alaska's economy, young adults who enroll are better equipped to contribute to the state economy and become educated on conservation efforts and other crucial job skills. 

For more information, check out these resources: The Alaska Journal of Commerce, Indian Country Today Media Network